Barnabas wasn't usually one for divination. He'd avoided it entirely during his time at Hogwarts, and even more so as an adult. It was frivolous magic, and frankly, he didn't quite believe in it. Perhaps some diviners' talents were genuine, but surely not as many as those who faked it. Rather begrudgingly, he'd entered the tea house owned by the Eventides. They were on the shadier side of society, but they were wealthy and powerful for good reason. He needed to get this damned curse removed before it ruined his life.

The last twenty-four hours had had him trying every spell he knew to remove it himself, but to no avail. He preferred to avoid the hospital or the Ministry, not wanting anyone important to recognize him and realize his predicament. There'd always been rumors that the eccentric tea house offered curse removal services. Here he was, executing plan B.

After a ridiculously expensive waste of time in which he was certain the Eventide who he'd met with was a charlatan, he was no better off than before. In consolation, the employee had offered him a free tea. Barnabas accepted, if only because if he didn't, he was worried that the curse would retaliate. Before he knew it, he was sitting at one of the little tables near the shop window with a delicate teacup in hand. Wary that not drinking it would cause the curse to bring him harm, he took a tentative sip. It had a familiar, strangely addicting taste that he couldn't quite place.

The cup was empty within a minute. The shop worker had ducked into the back just as he'd been about to request a refill. So whilst he waited (rather happily, which ought to have been his first warning sign), his eyes fell upon the most beautiful, marvelous creature he'd ever seen. Golden brown hair, small in stature, and wearing fashion-forward bloomers. Before he knew what was happening, he was out of his chair and approaching her with bright, shining eyes and a foolish grin, "I apologize if this makes you uncomfortable, miss, but I just thought you ought to know that you are a goddess."

Gemma Simpson